Method for forming boxes and the like



p 1932- J. s. STOKES 1,879,830v

METHOD FOR FORMING BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed May 17. 1929 Y s Sheets-Shet 1 A TTORNEY.

Se t-27, 1932. J, 5 STOKES 1,879,830

mmnon FOR FORMING BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed May 17. 1929 s Sh eets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 27; 1932. J. 5. sToKEs' METHOD FOR FORMING BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed May 17, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTQR.

7 1 ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED! stares PATENT OFFICE JOHN s. sroxns, or HUNTINGDON VLLLEY. PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'ro STOKES AND SMITH COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF 7 PENNSYLVANIA,

METHOD FOR FORMING BOXES AND LIKE Application filed a 17, 1929. Serial No. 363,828.

I My invention relates to the art of forming component, which without substantial delay and, as, during a wrapping operation, is united with one or more other box=forming components to comprise a box; more specifie cally, components destined to:form end walls of a box are out from strips or rolls of width corresponding to a dimension of the end walls; preferably the remaining walls, as the bottom and side walls are formed by a single rectangular piece cut from a strip or-roll, or

removed from a stack of previously cut blanks.

Further in accordance with my invention, 7

the end wall rolls are disposed on opposite sides of the form block structure of a wrapping machine, and the end wall components afterseverance from their respective rolls are moved toward each other and into engage ment with the form block. 7

My invention resides in the methods of pro ducing a box hereinafter described and.

claimed and in improvement upon the methods claimedin my co-pending applications Serial Nos. 88,231 and 147,405 filed February 15, 1926 and November 10, 1926, respectively.

For an understanding of myinvention, ref

erence is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which in perspective: f

Fig. 1 is a view of a coated tabbed wrapper. Fig. 2 illustrates a box-forming component; Fig. 3 is a view of the. form block structure of a wrapping machine, and of boxforming components.

Fig. 4 diagrammaticallyillustrates movement of the box components of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view of a coated tabbedwrapper withv a box-forming component adhering thereto. Fig. 6 is a view of a tabbed wrapper in registering relation with a box-forming'component, the form block of a wrapping machine being indicated in dotted lines.

Figs. 7 to ll inclusive, represent,.respectively, the successive stages of a box-forming and box-Wrapping operation.

Fig. 12 is a view of a continuous strip and a box component cut therefrom. 1

. Figs. 13, 14 and 15 represent the blank 0 Fig. 12. after orduring respectively, scoring, bending and shaping operations. 7

Fig. 16 depicts the blank of Fig. 12 and the position assumed by parts thereof after the operations of Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive.

Fig. 17 is a View of a coated, tabbed V wrapper. o

Fig. 18 discloses the blank of Fig. 16 disposedupon the; wrapper of'Fig. 15.

Figs. '19 to 21 illustrate steps of cutting box components from strips and moving them into registering relation with the other box components. V

Fig. 22 is a view of a coated wrapper.

Fig. 23 illustrates a box-forming component having tabs applied thereto.

Fig. 24 is a View of rolls from which box components are cut, and of box component A superimposed upon wrapper W.

Fig. 25 is a view of thebox components in box simulating position. I

Figs. 26 to 30 inclusive, represent the suecessive stages of a box-forming and Wrapping operation.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have illustrated an individual corner-cut wrapper W, consist ing of a single sheet of paper or equivalent material and comprising a bottom section cl 7 comprises the corner lap sections fl and f2.

The bottom section d comprises the end wall bottom.

sections (Z1 and (Z2. Preferably wrapper W ening the Completed box as hereinafter de-" scribed. Tabs T may be severed as needed from a suitable ribbon or roll, or may be first formed and piled in stacks and withdrawn as and when required as disclosed in my" U. S. Patent- No. 1,599,500,-- or preferably may be severed and applied to the wrapper by mechanism disclosed in Riderapplication Serial No. 294fi36, filed April 21, 1928 in which the coating of the wrapper and the application of tabs thereto is effected simultaneously; V 7

The tabbed wrapper with fresh coatings of adhesive on thebox-engaging surfaces of the tabs and wrapper is now prepared for application to box-forming components" and such application is preferably made-prompt- 1y, while the coated wrapper W and its coated tabs T are soft and pliable and before the adhesive coatings on the wrapper and tabs have dried, hardened or set. v I

" Referring to FigfiQ, there isillustrated a box-forming component A, section, or element of suitable shape or configuration and of suitable material, as box-board, paper, pasteboard, cardboard or other material, preferably scored or creased as indicated by the two parallel lines a, thescored portions constituting'opposite boundries of a'generally rectangular sectionbforming, upon com-V pletion of the box, one face thereof, as the Lying respectively outwardly of the scored portions of box-forming component A are the substantially duplicate sections 0 and 01 forming, upon completion of the box, opposite faces thereof, as the two sides.

Initially, it is preferable that engagement be effected between box-forming component A and the individual wrapper W in such manner that the section b engage-and adhere to bottom section d'of the wrapper W. As indicated in Fig. 5, the length of box-forming component A, or the distance along a line a thereof, is such that the component extends from the apexes of the notches on one side of the wrapper to the'apexes of the notches on the other side thereof. 7

A form block or equivalent structure may be so placed as to overlie section b of the component A, the base of the form block corresponding in size withsection 'b, and 'of a height corresponding generally with the distancc across section a or section 01 of boxforming component A, along a line at right angles to the lines a thereof (Fig. 6).

Adjacent the path of movement of the form lock and preferably on opposite sides thereof, are disposed the rolls R, R1 of suitable box-forming material, such as cardboard, box-board or the like. The width of the roll preferably corresponds to a dimension of a box wall, for example, in Fig. 3, the rolls are equal in width to the shorter dimension of the portion 6 of box forming component A. From the rolls or strips R, R1 are out the end wall components B, B1, whose shorter dimension, for example, correspondsfto the height of the finished box; and when thebox walls are all of equal height, to the smaller dimension of the/front and rear walls 0, 01. After cutting of the'end Walls B, B1 from their respectivev rolls, preferably in timed relation to reciprocation of the form block structure'F, they are moved toward each other and "into engagement with theform blockwhere they may be held by an operator, or retained by suitable mechanism.

' Thereafter, theside panels 6 and f of the wrapper W are moved upwardly, engaging theside sections 0, 1, of box-forming component A, ultimately assuming a vertical position as shown in Fig. 7 with the inner faces of box sections 0,01 engaging the cor-' responding sides of the form block. Thereafter the now vertical cornerlap sections 61 and f1 of wrapper W are folded inwardly into engagement with box-forming component Bl'WllllG the cornerlap sections 62 and f2 are likewise folded inwardly into engagement with bo's-forming component B, Fig. 8f

" During this folding'operation, the portions ofthe tabs adhering to the end panels d1, (Z2, of the wrapper are pulled out of engagement 7 therewith adjacent the lower corners. Thereafter as the end panels (11, d2 are folded upwardly into engagement with box-formingcomponents B and B1 the portions of the tabs pulled out of engagement with the end panels, and the "portions bridging the corner notches, which portions are adj acent and continuing, are folded against the end flaps in'the form of small triangles ig. 9). Finally, the portions of the wrapper protruding abovethe uppered'ges of the now vertical box-forming walls are folded downwardly and into adhesive engagement with the interior surfaces of said vertical walls to form the completed box illustrated in Fig. 11.

During the wrapping operations, the boxforming components, ends or elements B, B1 are firmly and securely bound to the main box-forming component, section or element A, the tabs-T reinforcing the union of these elements. j j

All the foregoing operations may be performed manually. Preferably, however, they will be performed by automatic mechanism.

For example, the individual wrappers W, when in a stack, may be operated upon in an automatic adhesive applying machine, such, for example, as disclosed in Nitsch etal. application Serial No. 69, 249 or in the adhesive applying unit G of aforesaid Rider application which simultaneously tabs and cuts individual wrappers. Accordingly individual tabbed wrappers W are fed in succession in proper relation between the form block structure of a wrapping machine as shown by broken lines in Fig. 6. The wrapping machine may be of any suitable character, as for example, of the same general type disclosed in the aforesaid Smith Patents 691,829 and 778,805, or specifically of the type shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 1 17 ,405. In proper timed relation to movement of the form block, theend wall components B and B1 are severed from their respective rolls R, R1 and swung as around the fulcrum m, Fig. 4, to position adjacent the path of movement of the form block or in contact therewith, being retained preferably by clips or the like, or by suction exerted through the form block.

V Box-forming components A may be individually fed or transferred in succession between the upper and lower form blocks of the wrapping machine in any suitable manner, preferably, however, in a system such as dis closed in my aforesaid application.

Accordingly, in the wrapping machine, an individual tabbed wrapper WV and a boxforming component A come into proper regis try with each other in proper relation'to the descending formblock F to which thevbox forming components B and B1 have been secured. In Fig. 6 a stage of the operation is illustrated wherein the upper form-block F has effected engagement of wrapper V] and box-forming component A; It will be understood, however, that engagement between the wrapper and box-forming component A may be effected prior to their transportation into the path of movement of the form block. Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive, illustrate the succeeding stages in the box assembly and wrapping operation as effected by the automatic mechanism of the wrapping machine, the wrapper flaps being applied to the box-forming components in suitable sequence and the tabs T being at suitable times applied to and worked around the box corners.

Referring to Fig. 12, the box component A is cut from a roll or strip R3, preferably of width corresponding to the length, or other dimension, of the finished box. Thereafter the component is scored, or creased as at lines a, a, to form the portion 6, destined to be the bottom of the box, and the opposite portions 0, c1 destined to form the side walls of the box. As above described, the box component A may be individually fed or transferred to abox forming station, as to the form block structure of a box machine. To facilitate wrapping of the box, and to prevent a bowed appearance of the side walls of the wrapped box, sections 0, 01 of component A are folded upwardly, Fig. 14, and inwardly towards each other through a substantial angle and practically fiat. against the upper surface of the middle port-ionb. After bending opera: tion, the side walls 0, 01 assume the position shown in Fig. 16.

In Fig. 17 there is shown a. tabbed wrapper, similar to that of Fig. 1 of this application,

and of F 27 of co-pending Rider application Serial No. 294,088, filed July 20,1928, of

which it is characteristic that the tabs T of the form block. The end wall components B, B1 are cut from rolls or strips R, R1 and ultimately assume the position shown in Fig.

21, the components A, B and Blsimulating a box'in appearance. Thereafter the wrapping'operation is completed, as has been previously described in connection with Figs. 7 to 11.

' While all the foregoing operations of Figs. 12 to21 may be performed manually, prefer-.

ably they'will be performed by automatic .iechan'ism, the cutting of components A from the roll R3, the scoring, bending and transportation thereof successivelyinto the path of the form block of a wrapping machine being in timed relation to the coating and delivery of wrappers W. y

The preferred operation is as described, namely, that of utilizing the individual wrapper, and the box, when used, as the sole reinforcing or retaining structure for the box-forming components. It shall be understood, however, that the box-forming components may be first assembled and maintained inbox-forming position by suitable structure, as by webs overlying the various corners, and that thereafter the wrapper, or the wrapper and the adhering tabs may be applied in any suitable manner.

Referring to Fig. 22, the wrapper W is plain, that is,.not provided with tabs. However, tabs T are, applied in suitable position to the box-forming component A.

In this modification of mymethod, the rolls R, R1 may be on separate and vertical axes, the width of the rolls corresponding to the vertical heights of the end walls. 'After their severance from the rolls R, R1, the

components B,'B1 are moved without rotatabs T are simultaneously brought into en-.

gagement with the end wall, reinforcing junction therebetween and the side walls 0, 01. Simultaneously the folding of the wrapper between all into engagement with end walls or component B1 effects staying or reinforcing of the vertical edges of the box formed by the joinder of side walls 0', c1 and B1. i t

Thc subsequent wrapping operations dis #losed in Figs. 27 to inclusive correspond to Figs. 8 to 11 previously described. Although the foregoing description is limited to the formation of a box from three box-forming components, sections or elements, lb shall be understood that my invention c'omprehends the utilization of greater or smaller number of such components for example, the bottom I) may be integral with one only of the side panels, or separate from both, and that my invention comprehends the manipulation and'assembly of the desired number of box-forming components in ways specifically different from the corresponding-disclosure of this application for example, all of the'c'omponents may be assembled inbox forming relation and there after the wrapper applied; Likewise it shall be understood that types of individual wrappers may be utilized differing from the wrapper W herein disclosechfor example wrappers having no corner notching, and that the region or regions where the reinforcing tab or tabs is orare applied may vary as desired to effect proper reinforcing or strengthening in the desired regions of the completed composite box structure, for example, tabs may be applied to overlie the lower, side corners of the box. r a

Further it will be understood that the sequence of the application of adhesive may v vary, for example, the box-forming components may be coated with adhesive, and an uncoated wrapper applied thereto, etc.

It shall also be understood that my invention is not to be restricted to the utilization of a wrapper that is tabbed, strengthened or otherwise reinforced and includes use of a wrapper from which tabbing structure of any kind is omitted. It shall also be understood that although preferably the wrapping operation is completed before hardening of the adhesive coatingson the wrapper or tabs, it comprehends the use of, wrappers having secured thereto tabs by adhesive which has hardened or set. I

When utilizing 'a composite wrapper, for example,'as illustrated and described in my co-pending application Serial No; 89,127, filed February 18, 1926, it is preferable that the application of the wrapper to the boxforming components be effected prior to ma terial hardening'or setting of the adhesive with which the wrapper components are coated, and secured to each other.

The term scoring appearing in the apnents by a wrapper.

pended claims and applied to an operation performed upon a box component, is used in a generic sense to comprehend creasing or equivalent, in which the fibres of thematerial comprising the component are not cut. ,VVhat I claim is: 1. The method of forming a Wrapped b0 from separate box components which comprises cutting box components adaptedto form opposite walls of 'a box from continuous strips and thereafter, without substantial delay, the steps of arranging the separate box components in proper relation, and effecting permanent union of the separate components in box-forming position by a wrapper. l

2. The method of forming a wrapped'box fromseparate box components which comprises cutting adjacenta wrapping station, box components forming different walls of the box from continuous strips, and,.without substantialdelay, thereafter and at the wrapping station arranging the separatebox components in proper relation, and effecting permanent union of the separate box compo- 3. The continuous method of forming wrapped boxes from separate box components which comprises delivering wrappers in successionto a wrapping station, cutting box components from continuous strips, moving groups of separate. components, without substantial delay after said cutting operation, in succession toward the wrappingstation, and at the wrapping station effecting in succession permanent union of the components of each group by a wrapper to form a box. 7 1

at. The method of'forming wrapped boxes from separate box components which comprises moving incomplete groups of box components in succession toward a wrappingstation, in timed relation to the arrival of each group at the wrapping station, cutting at least one box component from a continuous strip to complete said group, arranging the separate components of each group in proper relation, and at the wrapping station effecting in succession permanent union of the components of each completed group by a wrapper to form a box. i 1

5. The continuous method of forming wrapped boxes from separate box components which comprises cuttingrbox components in succession from a continuous strip, scoring each of said components in succession to provide sections adapted to form'th-e box bottom and at least one vertical wall, cutting other box components in succession from other continuous strip-s, arranging theoomponents of abox without substantial delay after they are cut from their respective strips in a box forming group, and in succession effecting permanent union ofthe separate components of each group inbox-forming position by a wrapper during a wrapping.

operation.

6. The method of forming wrapped boxes from separate box-components which comprises cutting box components in succession from a continuous strip, scoring each of said compo-nents'in successionto provide sections adapted to form the bottom and opposite walls of a box, arranging in succession each of said components, without substantial delay after said cutting and scoring, withother separate components adapted to form remaining walls of the boxes in proper relation, and in succession effecting permanent union of the separate components of each box by a wrapper during a box-wrapping operation.

7. The method of forming wrapped boxes from separate box components which comprises cutting box components each adapted to form a box bottom and at least one ver-,

tical wall in succession from a continuous strip, cutting other box components in succession from other continuous strips, arranging the components without substantial delay after they are cut from their respective strips in successive groups, and in succession effecting permanent union of the separate components of each group in box-forming position by a wrapper during a wrapping operation.

8. The method of forming wrapper boxes from separate 'box components which comprises cutting box components in succession from a continuous strip, scoring each of said components in succession to provide sections adapted to form the bottom and opposite walls of a box, cutting other box components successively in pairs from continuous strips, arranging the components without substantial delay after they are cut from their re:

ing groups of unattached components each group adapted to form a box in succession to the wrapping station, and at the wrapping station, applying the wrappers in succession to groups of components to effect their permanent union in box-forming position with the tabs overlying and strengthening the junction of the separate box components.

10. The continuous method of forming boxes from separate box components which comprises feeding strips of box material from rolls thereof, cutting box components adapted to form opposite box walls from said strips, and without substantial delay after said cutting, the steps of arranging the com ponents in box-for'ming'position, and uniting them in said position by overlying *adhesive-coa-ted sheet material.

, 11.1The continuous method Iof-' formi ng boxes -which comprises, cutting at least the box components adapted to form opposite box walls from continuous strips of box materialf'ed from rolls thereof, and without substantial delayafter cutting, arranging the b 7 unattached components in box-forming po'- sition, and uniting them'in said position by adhesive-coated sheet material. r

12. The continuous method of forming boxes which comprises, feeding a stripof box rolls thereof, severing said strips to produce a group of components adapted to form a box, one of said components forming the box bot tom and a pair of side walls, arranging each group of components without substantial de lay after cutting thereof from said strips in box-forming relation, and uniting the components of each group by adhesive 'ooated sheet material. 7

14. The method of forming boxes which comprises feeding a strip of box materialv from a roll thereof, severing said strip to produce main box components each adapted to form a box bottom and a pair of side walls, transporting said components insuccession to a box forming station, feeding other strips of box-material from rolls thereof, cutting said strips to form end wall components,

of said strips to form box components each adapted to form another vertical box Wall, arranging a group of components in boxforming position, and applying tab strips to overlie corners of the box formed by said components and permanently to attach said components.

16. The methodof making boxes which comprises, feeding strips of box material transporting pairs of said components in succession to said box forming station, and at from rolls, severing one of said strips to form box components each adapted to form the bottom and atleast one Vertical box wall,

severing other ofsaid strips to form components each adapted to form a vertical box Wall, arranging a group of components in box-forming position, and attaching them in said position by tab strips overlyingjcorners ofthe box formed thereby. V

. 17*. The method of making a boxwhich comprises, feeding strips 7 of box material from rolls, severing said strips, to form components each adapted to form at least one vertical Wall of the box, and Without substantial delay arranging the components in box-forming position and attaching them in said position by tab strips overlying corners of the 1 JOHN s. STOKES.

box formed thereby. 

